Farm-Level Awareness and Acceptability of Manure Management Technologies: Implication for Policy Targeting and Tailored Extension Strategies

Livestock farming plays a key role in European agriculture but is increasingly associated with environmental challenges. Effective manure management is essential to mitigate these impacts, yet the adoption of improved technologies and practices remains slow. Farmers’ decisions are shaped by technical, economic, and behavioural factors, and positive attitudes do not always translate into implementation, making adoption a complex process. This study, part of the Horizon Europe NUTRITIVE project, examines these dynamics in Ireland, Italy, and Spain using a mixed-method approach. Semi-structured interviews and a Delphi study with diverse stakeholders were conducted to identify key technologies, practices, and barriers. Insights from these phases, together with a scoping literature review, will inform focus groups and the development of a survey research conceptual framework. The quantitative phase will involve a farmer survey and advanced modelling techniques to analyse adoption patterns and cross-country differences. The expected outcomes will help bridge the gap between attitudes and actual uptake, guiding interventions and policy strategies to promote sustainable manure management across the EU.